Chai Cherry Walnuts Recipes

CHAI-CHERRY WALNUTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a small bowl, whisk together spices, salt, and pepper. Add brown sugar, oil, and walnuts. Gently toss and rub nuts in mixture until evenly coated.
• Spread walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet and bake, turning nuts halfway through baking, until light golden, 10 to 15 minutes total. Let nuts cool completely.
• Toss walnuts with dried cherries.
• Make ahead: Up to 1 week.
• Note: Nutritional analysis is per 1/4-cup serving.

CHERRY WALNUT BARS

Steps:

• For crust, combine 2 cups of flour with the powdered sugar and butter. Pat into greased jelly roll pan and bake for 12 minutes at 350 degrees.
• Combine remaining ingredients and spread over baked crust.
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.

CHERRY-WALNUT BALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F
• Drain maraschino cherries on paper towels; pat dry to remove any excess liquid.
• Set cherries aside.
• Beat butter in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds.
• Beat in the 1/2 cup powdered sugar, almond extract, and vanilla until combined, scraping side of bowl occasionally.
• Beat in as much flour as you can with the mixer.
• Stir in any remaining flour, nuts, and cherries with a wooden spoon.
• Shape dough into 1-inch balls.
• Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
• Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes or until bottoms are lightly brown.
• Cool 5 minutes on cookie sheets on wire racks.
• Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar to coat and transfer cookies to wire racks and cool completely.
• If desired, roll cooled cookies in additional powdered sugar before serving. Makes about 48 balls.
• *NOTE: To toast nuts, spread them in a single layer in a shallow baking pan. Bake in a preheated 325F oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until nuts are slightly golden brown, stirring once or twice. Cool completely. Chop nuts and set aside.
• TO STORE: Place cookies in layers separated by pieces of waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw cookies, if frozen, before serving.